We have Danehill Stakes tips and predictions for the Group 2 1100m race at Flemington on Saturday.
Danehill Stakes odds have a quality betting field, including two favourites who have met on an earlier occasion.
THE NEXT EPISODE (6) is a rising star of the turf, and we thought his odds would be fractionally shorter. His form last season included three wins and a placing, and he scored a win over Natural Fling, who has since run well at the top level.
Natural Fling has the advantage of race fitness on her side, but The Next Episode is a very well-bred son of Snitzel, and he doesn’t need time on his side to produce his best effort this Saturday.
He could be in for a big spring carnival, and we expect a lot of money to come for him on race day. Punters love betting on him, and the $4 price is enticing enough for us to jump on. He’s an electric sprinter, and he could make his mark early in the preparation.
| 3. The Next Episode (6) J: Mark Zahra 58kg 1211x T: Ciaron Maher | |||
| Colt returning from a spell and has won previously when first up. Finished off last campaign won by 1.5 len Gold Coast Mm Nat 2yo SW May 22 over 1000m slow track defeating Natural Fling with 57kg at $1.70. Previous preparation first-up favourite; won by 0.9 len Warwick Farm 2yo C&G Mdn March 11 over 1000m slow track defeating Under Focus with 58kg at $2.60. Smashed Natural Fling in Qld, look for him charging late. | |||
We’re not surprised to see NATURAL FLING (10) open as the favourite, but we would have the favourites priced closer.
She is unbeaten in two starts over the distance, and her last start placing came behind My Gladiola at Group 1 level, so that’s why she has been well-received in betting markets, and it’s form worth respecting.
The 3YO daughter of Home Affairs won’t mind drawing wide down the Flemington straight, and although not every runner enjoys racing down the straight, she is professional enough to handle it.
We are not jumping out of trees to back her at $2.60, but she can’t be left out of Danehill Stakes predictions. She’s all class, and she is the favourite for a reason.
| 10. Natural Fling (10) J: Damian Lane 56.5kg 12×13 T: Tony & Calvin Mcevoy | |||
| Third-up today. First-up favourite; won by 4 len in the G3 Quezette Stakes at Caulfield on August 15 over 1100m on a soft track defeating Scintillation with 56kg at $2.40. Second run from a spell sat on the speed and boxed on steadily 3rd of 13 in the G1 Moir Stakes at Sandown-Hillside on September 5 over 1000m, slow going 1.1 len behind My Gladiola with 50kg at $3. Very hard to catch back to own age group. | |||
With all the attention on the favourites, punters get good odds for BUGGSY (2), who wasn’t too far away from the winner at Flemington last time out.
The 3YO colt showed speed when winning at Sandown fresh-up, and that form has been franked by Calamari Ring and Jacaranda running well in their subsequent starts, so the $21 odds are generous.
It’s good to see Craig Williams retain the ride, and barrier 2 should give him a good run down the straight. He’s a runner who can’t be overlooked at the price, and he could boost Danehill Stakes tips with a good effort.
| 6. Buggsy (2) J: Craig Williams 57kg 13×14 T: Mick Price & Michael Kent Jnr | |||
| Third-up today. First-up won by a head in a 3yo Hcp at Sandown-Hillside on August 22 over 1000m in the wet defeating Jacaranda carrying 53kg at $3.20. Second run from a spell ran on strongly from last on the turn; 4th of 10 in the G3 Poseidon Stakes at this track on September 12 over 1100m, 1.5 len behind Paradoxium carrying 57kg at $18. Going well but can’t see him improving enough. | |||
Punters get value odds with our Danehill Stakes SRM, which includes our three selected runners.
- Top 2 – No. 3 The Next Episode
- Top 2 – No. 10 Natural Fling
- Top 5 – No. 6 Buggsy
We have The Next Episode Top 2, Natural Fling Top 2, and Buggsy Top 5, which pays $10.50 for our three-runner SRM.
We have the favourites running the quinella, and that will be a popular bet on race day. They are the best horses in the race, and with Buggsy Top 5 producing some value, the same-race multi is worth including in your Danehill Stakes predictions.
| 3. The Next Episode (6) J: Mark Zahra 58kg 1211x T: Ciaron Maher | |||
| Colt returning from a spell and has won previously when first up. Finished off last campaign won by 1.5 len Gold Coast Mm Nat 2yo SW May 22 over 1000m slow track defeating Natural Fling with 57kg at $1.70. Previous preparation first-up favourite; won by 0.9 len Warwick Farm 2yo C&G Mdn March 11 over 1000m slow track defeating Under Focus with 58kg at $2.60. Smashed Natural Fling in Qld, look for him charging late. | |||
| 6. Buggsy (2) J: Craig Williams 57kg 13×14 T: Mick Price & Michael Kent Jnr | |||
| Third-up today. First-up won by a head in a 3yo Hcp at Sandown-Hillside on August 22 over 1000m in the wet defeating Jacaranda carrying 53kg at $3.20. Second run from a spell ran on strongly from last on the turn; 4th of 10 in the G3 Poseidon Stakes at this track on September 12 over 1100m, 1.5 len behind Paradoxium carrying 57kg at $18. Going well but can’t see him improving enough. | |||
| 10. Natural Fling (10) J: Damian Lane 56.5kg 12×13 T: Tony & Calvin Mcevoy | |||
| Third-up today. First-up favourite; won by 4 len in the G3 Quezette Stakes at Caulfield on August 15 over 1100m on a soft track defeating Scintillation with 56kg at $2.40. Second run from a spell sat on the speed and boxed on steadily 3rd of 13 in the G1 Moir Stakes at Sandown-Hillside on September 5 over 1000m, slow going 1.1 len behind My Gladiola with 50kg at $3. Very hard to catch back to own age group. | |||
Latest Danehill Stakes 2026 Odds
Danehill Stakes 2026 Odds
| 1. Stretan Ruler (1) J: Lachlan Neindorf 58.5kg 4125x T: Phillip & Tommy Stokes | |||
| Resumes after a break of six-and-a-half months and has been in the money when fresh before. Finished off last preparation fifth of 16 at Rosehill in the G1 G Slipper March 21 over 1200m, soft track; 2.75 len behind Guest House with 56.5kg at $15. When resuming last campaign fourth of 8 at Caulfield in the G3 Bd/Prel Cg February 7 over 1100m, 1.75 len behind Closer To Free with 57kg at $7. Good 2yo, market best guide fresh. | |||
| 2. Big Sky (7) J: Jordan Childs 58.5kg 11×3 T: Mick Price & Michael Kent Jnr | |||
| Second-up. First-up after eight months sat on speed throughout when 3rd of 10 in the G3 Poseidon Stakes at this track on September 12 over 1100m, 1.3 len behind Paradoxium with 58.5kg at $8.50. Previously second-up won by 3 len in the G3 Chairman’s Stakes at Caulfield on January 31 over 1000m defeating Invincible Son with 59kg at $1.60. Fitter now and can give a sight. | |||
| 3. The Next Episode (6) J: Mark Zahra 58kg 1211x T: Ciaron Maher | |||
| Colt returning from a spell and has won previously when first up. Finished off last campaign won by 1.5 len Gold Coast Mm Nat 2yo SW May 22 over 1000m slow track defeating Natural Fling with 57kg at $1.70. Previous preparation first-up favourite; won by 0.9 len Warwick Farm 2yo C&G Mdn March 11 over 1000m slow track defeating Under Focus with 58kg at $2.60. Smashed Natural Fling in Qld, look for him charging late. | |||
| 4. Alibaba (9) J: Craig Newitt 58kg 1389x T: Ken & Kasey Keys | |||
| Resuming after a six months break. Finished off last campaign ninth of 13 at Randwick in the G1 Sires Prod April 4 over 1400m, soft track; 8 len behind Campione D’italia carrying 56.5kg at $17. On debut third of 13 at Caulfield in the LR M Cooper November 29 over 1000m, soft track; 1.4 len behind Eternal Warrior carrying 58kg at $5.50. Prefer to see how he returns. | |||
| 5. Zambales (5) J: Jamie Mott 57kg 54×21 T: Anthony & Sam Freedman | |||
| Third-up today. Resuming sat on the speed and boxed on steadily 2nd of 8 in a 3yo C&G Mdn-Sw at Sandown-Lakeside on August 19 over 1200m, on a slow track; 1.0 len behind Somethings Burnin’ with 58kg at $1.65. Last start favourite; raced right near the speed and boxed on; won by a nose in a 3yo Mdn-Sw at Bendigo on September 6 over 1300m on a soft track defeating Meness carrying 58kg at $2. Back in trip and up in grade are negatives. | |||
| 6. Buggsy (2) J: Craig Williams 57kg 13×14 T: Mick Price & Michael Kent Jnr | |||
| Third-up today. First-up won by a head in a 3yo Hcp at Sandown-Hillside on August 22 over 1000m in the wet defeating Jacaranda carrying 53kg at $3.20. Second run from a spell ran on strongly from last on the turn; 4th of 10 in the G3 Poseidon Stakes at this track on September 12 over 1100m, 1.5 len behind Paradoxium carrying 57kg at $18. Going well but can’t see him improving enough. | |||
| 7. Mbube (8) J: Billy Egan 57kg 1×2 T: Lloyd Kennewell | |||
| Third race start. Promising on debut as favourite; was well back until straightening; raced back then made ground from the turn; won by 1.5 len in a 2yo Hcp at Sandown-Hillside on June 13 over 1000m on a rain affected track defeating Stars Of Dom with 56.5kg at $3.50. Returned from break made some head-way from midfield; 2nd of 10 in the G3 Poseidon Stakes at this track on September 12 over 1100m, 1.0 len behind Paradoxium with 57kg at $2.80. Nice return and should come on from that. | |||
| 8. Doubt Time (11) J: Michael Dee 57kg 1x T: Nick Ryan | |||
| Resumes from a spell after only one run when was well back until straightening; raced back then made ground from the turn; won by a nose in a 2yo Hcp at Caulfield on July 25 over 1100m in soft going defeating Resolutely with 52.5kg at $8. Nice type, this is a tough ask. | |||
| 9. Pocketfullofcash (3) J: Blake Shinn 57kg 1x T: Reece Goodwin | |||
| Resumes from a spell after only one run when favourite; won by 2.5 len in a 2yo Mdn-Sw at Pakenham Synthetic on July 20 over 1000m defeating Artison with 58kg at $2.30. Looks smart but is thrown in the deep end here. | |||
| 10. Natural Fling (10) J: Damian Lane 56.5kg 12×13 T: Tony & Calvin Mcevoy | |||
| Third-up today. First-up favourite; won by 4 len in the G3 Quezette Stakes at Caulfield on August 15 over 1100m on a soft track defeating Scintillation with 56kg at $2.40. Second run from a spell sat on the speed and boxed on steadily 3rd of 13 in the G1 Moir Stakes at Sandown-Hillside on September 5 over 1000m, slow going 1.1 len behind My Gladiola with 50kg at $3. Very hard to catch back to own age group. | |||
| 11. Over Excited (4) J: Ethan Brown 55kg 12 T: Anthony & Sam Freedman | |||
| Had two starts to date. When well in the market at debut, favourite; won by 1.75 len in a 3yo F Mdn-Sw at Geelong on August 28 over 1147m on a soft track defeating Icelady carrying 57kg at $3.30. Last start 2nd of 13 in the G3 Cap D’Antibes Stakes at this track on September 12 over 1100m, 0.5 len behind Satono Glow carrying 56kg at $3.10. Just edged out here last time – she’s a good filly. | |||